Sapporo Ramen Miharu at Gallery Hotel

Had a busy week at work and feeling a little down recently so BE decided to bring me for something good after we knock off on Friday so i chose Sapporo Ramen Miharu as taya and Don have been telling me to check this place out given that i still miss Ramen which i had at Osaka.

We decided to take a stroll along the river from Liang Court to Gallery hotel, this place really brings back memories... Had a stay during our 5th yr anniversary, at that time, BE was still an undergrad hehe.

Miharu is situated at a little corner outside the hotel and there isnt any obvious signage showing that we got the correct place but it is really packed. It has a little resemblance of those authentic ramen shop in Japan and we chose the counter seats to add on to the feel. There were quite a couple of Japanese in the shop and we can hear the slurping sound from their consumption of ramen, this is to symbolise that the food tastes good!

The menu looks good and i had Miso Tonkotsu Special Blended Miso Pork Flavoured Ramen @ $13 while BE had Tokusen Tonshio Special Pork Flavoured blended with Salt @ @ $12.50.

Miso Tonkotsu Special Blended Miso Pork Flavoured Ramen

Tokusen Tonshio Special Pork Flavoured blended with Salt

My soup tastes SOOOOO yummy as the broth is thick, BE's one is not too bad either but it has a more salty look and taste given that it is blended with salt. I simply love it and this is definitely the next Ramen place till now to be comparable to those which we had in Japan. I am loving it and we finish all the ramen and soup and felt a little thirsty after that, most prob due to the MSG??? but it is still nice. I will want to go there again!!!

The always Kiddy Irritants

Hei was back for a week to visit her mummy who just went for her retina op... apologies for mistaking it as rectum as i couldnt really hear you well while communicating with your overseas line and hope ur mama is better.

Managed to arrange an Irritants meet up for steamboat dinner at Bugis and we had almost 10 attendees.... There are only the three of us who are females and frequently go out in the gang so we use our initials and term ourselves M.C.Q. With 'Q' in Japan for the past one year, we hardly have time together. Now given that she is back for a short while, we really had a happy time relinquishing the stupid moments... See how we play with ice cream and the ugly teeth which we have. haha

The gang is really sweet and protective given my current change in size as they will make sure that there is someone on my left, right, front and back when i cross the road, shout when there is stairs or water making me feel so princessy. Hehe =)

Why????

Have been encountering so many real life stories in life recently which left me thinking why mankind only treasure more when they are about to lose it and why god create man and yet let them suffer with illness???

A very rich lady who is very nice and amiable with no airs at all is suddenly diagnosed of stomach cancer. No one expect this when she complains that she always experience stomachache, the first thing which comes to their mind is she must have been eating the wrong stuffs. She went for an op earlier and took out a part of large intestine to test but wasnt able to find anything wrong even though she was in a well known hospital, so they just gave her some pills and then monitor her condition. After some time, she suffered from severe stomachache again and this time round, her family decided to go to another hospital and got her those renowned doctors and it was then she is only left with 6-9 mths of life. Everyone in the family including close friends were affected and the only way out is to do chemotheraphy and hope it can prolong her life but she is in ICU after the chemo dosage increase.

The once chirpy and fun-loving husband who always spend his nights entertaining his clients and went home drunk now looks so tired and sad. He said this to me -"My wife can enjoy life now and go traveling with me given that she already has grandchildren but....... Seeing her in such pain really hurts me, i just wonder why heaven wants to do this to her when she did nothing wrong. How i rest well when she is not sleeping besides me now but in the hospital suffering. I dont mind the money spent as long as she can recover. If ever that we discover earlier during her initial hospital stay, things will not be like this."

His words really sound like those in drama series but this is really the thoughts and feelings of any family members who have ever encounter this.

I always believe in this and have this in all my phone welcome message to act as a form of reminder

Treasure every little moments....

Steps to eating Reese's Peanut Butter Cup

BE got Reese's Peanut Butter Cup from his colleague who went overseas and he was super excited that he got this and sms me to tell me his plan on how we should eat it.

Step 1 : Go home and watch 50 First Dates, his fav movie which he has watched for over 10 times and I have watched about 5 times before and after marriage.

Step 2 :Must watch till Adam Sandler says "I had a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup....."

Step 3 : I can then open up and eat it.....

Wedding Dinner at Marina Mandarin

Was invited to my dear friend's big day on Labour Day... Why she chose this day???? coz his hubby's family all got married on 1st May... rather unique reason and all of them might celebrate their anniversary together next time. Almost all my NUS kakis got married except one who is still waiting for the HDB balloting. =)

Was impressed by the refurnised look of the ballroom especially the food, we got ourselves a menu each right in front of us instead of having one to share around.

As usual the wedding started off with the couple march in and then serving of food. They chose to arrange for the waiters to dance with the music first before serving so all of them walked in with the cold dish and then head to the stage to do a small dance which looks rather cute, this is the second time i saw this arrangement at wedding dinner.

Couple's second march in with bubbles... looks very fairy-like isnt it? Frankly speaking, i almost cannot recognise the bride as she looks so different from normal days without much make up and hardly wear skirt and be so lady like hehe

Before we left for the day, here's our last dish - mango sago with HUGE ice cream...

Myanmar Cuisine

Myanmar cuisine is never in my consideration but we had it when we were too hungry walking along peninsular...

Went thru the menu and find that the food is similar to thai's but the ingredients in it is different. I chose kuay teow with seafood (to be on the safe side) and BE had this potato with peas rice with fried chicken and this comes with the soup of the day. My food was pretty similar to phad thai but BE's one is like sticky rice with super dry chicken and the soup tastes like "long kou" water.....

Haha this is indeed an experience for us but we doubt we will go there again.....

A Relaxing Day out.....

Got two days off from work. decide to pamper myself on a weekday with lesser crowd.

Woke up as usual as the inbuilt alarm clock just simply cannot switch off during off days, ordered MacDelivery as it was raining cats and dogs. We had McGriddles, something which we always wanted to try while listening to radio advert to work everyday. It was not too bad but will get a little sick after finishing the whole burger as it is both sweet and salty, a combi of hotcakes and big breakfast. After breakfast, we took a short nap, not wanting to waste the perfect sleep-inducing weather.

It is time to wake up for our spa appointment at holland V, managed to book a last minute appointment the day before... $138 for two with 60 mins aromatheraphy massage and 30 mins heat rub for BE and 90 mins prenatal massage for me. It is rather comfy and relaxing as i had been experiencing backache during the third trimester. However i will still prefer those 'bones-breaking' massage such as thai or swedish. As for BE, poor him had to endure the heat from the hot stones which he dont find it enjoyable at all.

Opposite the spa is my fav jap bread shop where i bot the mini choc croissant bread, bread stuffed with thick and yummy choco cream, milk bread, curry bread.... it tastes super nice and has a really soft texture.

Walked down the street wanting to have a cup of coffee at a cafe, chose NYDC but the place was simply stinking as the ventilator was not working well so we decided to chose something else and we found this.....

This is similar to ice cre@m chef at East Coast Road, with a bigger variety of ice cream and toppings. I had caramel and ferrero mixed with graham crackers while BE had his long-wanted bubble gum and strawberry mixed with nerds.

As we were still early for dinner, we shopped ard Holland V and didnt find any interesting places. Next, we head down to Little India to The French Stall, a place which we always pass by and wanted to try. Service was a little bad as we went there slightly earlier than their official opening hours. Anyway it reminded us of France where we had escargots after viewing Effiel Tower.

Here's what we ordered.... French Onion soup and Escargots with herb and butter as starters. Was a little surprised to see how the escargots was being served as i expect it to come with the shell. The soup tastes good especially with the two bread topped with cheese.

Our Main course - Pork chop with gratin potato and Beef with fried potato - doesnt look impressive and taste so-so.

Dessert - Chocolate souffle and dark chocolate cake... average for both.........

We were most impressed with the soup and happy that we finally checked it out this place. Not sure if we will go again but definitely not in near future.

Thats the end of our relaxing day..... It is still off day tomorrow but it will be spent with mama instead.

Old Town White Cafe @ East Coast

Discover this place through friend's recommendations... It is located at East Coast previous Big Splash or the known Playground now... Heard that it is opened by J@ck Neo and guess who we saw??? Zheng Gep1ing and wife, both of them really look very good in real person.

Have been this place for many times and always have Ipoh Hor Fun - the malaysia style which is soupy in nature instead of the normal dry one. I like it as the hor fun is very soft but the taste of it varies each time i am there....

After spreading the news to colleagues, some went down to check it out and saw other local artistes there and there is also one day whereby it is closed for filming for I not stupid... Good place to chill out especially after a walk at East Coast or family outing on Sunday.

Bangkok Trip Itinery..... 14 to 17 March 2008

14 Mar
It is actually our 6mths wedding anniversary/ 6yrs 7mths courtship anni during our day of departure to Bangkok... felt so excited for the whole shopping trip. =) The two guys were simply bored while waiting for me to finish my previous posting in the transit so we decided to head off to the departure gate @ 1040 Sin time.

Took this airline and was so disappointed with the current standard now... BE was commenting on one who looks like a ghost, at the same time, the air stewardess walked passed him.. Hehe not sure if she heard him.

Played my favourite childhood game onboard, make me so tempted to purchase a nintendo.... didnt manage to finish it as there were too many announcements and interuptions.

Reached Bangkok around noon time and we went straight to our hotel - Hotel Residence Rajtaevee along Phetchaburi Road. It took us an hour to reach there due to the extremely bad traffic condition and the blur blur taxi driver who took the wrong route. Luckily bro was there to guide him along as he is the bangkok guru who speaks relatively good Thai. This hotel is not extremely very big and posh but i would say that it is value for money as we only paid about $25 per night each. It is more of a spa hotel which only caters to a small number of customers as it is only 5 storeys high with one lift. The venue is relatively convenient as it is in btw pratunam and Mah Boon Khrong.

After resting and unpacking, we head out to Big C to check our bro's new creation. BE got a little tempted but after some thoughts, he decided not to go for it. Walked down to Siam Square area as BE, as usual, wanted to purchase shot glasses, fridge magnet and teddy bear from Hard Rock Cafe as souvenirs whenever he visit the country.

Our latest collection on the left - Bangkok bear with boxing gloves.

Ate A&W for early dinner, BE was so happy to have his Root beer float and ice cream waffle once again and then walked down to MBK. Bro had a real shock as i nearly fainted while shopping at the stuffy Plaza 29. This is something which i least expect and luckily for the following days, i dont have such symptoms again as both BE and bro will keep on asking me to drink water and rest making sure that i dont overwalk.

Went back hotel to meet bro's friend who is working in Kanchanaburi as he is joining us for a break over the weekend. As the traffic condition was bad, we decided not to travel to Yao Wa Rat (Chinatown) or Rachada so we walked down to one of the roadside restaurant for our late dinner - ate Tom Yum soup, Kailan with roast pork, chicken with mango and chilli, grilled prawns and my favourite Mango glutinuous rice, BE had Chang while bro had Singha to end the meal. While walking back, we saw an Elephant???? along the small lane.... BE tot he was so drunk to see that haha Actually this is a typical scene in Bangkok as they will use them to beg from others.

15 Mar
Chatuchak here we go.... this is the weekend market which most people will go if they dont mind the hot humid weather. Went through the lanes one by one each and bot some stuffs, lesser than my expectations as the things were not as cheap as before. My favourite spot to look look see see - pets corner! See the cute little puppies, there were so many of them in each cage which is so squeezy and given the hot weather, all of them look so tired and lazy.

Too tired to go anywhere else for lunch so we went back hotel to wash up and at the same time, bot some food near hotel. The grilled chicken stall is still there since the last time i went bangkok in 2007. Finally got permission from them to grab a stick to fill my hunger haha.. Also bot shrimp wanton soup from 7 eleven, it is tasty given the amount of MSG in it.

It is dinner time, we took a cab to Chinatown T&K Seafood - ordered steamed fish with lemon grass, oyster egg, charcoal cockles, prawn fritters, vegetables and beer.... Given my current condition, i have to stay away from my fav oysters and cockles but i will love to try it the next time.... Was too full to have bird nest for dessert so i gave it a miss.

The monopoly in Bangkok selling the local delicacies --- Lin Zhi Yuan

As the night is till young, we went to the nearby Sanpanpoo - local flea market. It was super crowded with locals and we basically walked and walked without purchasing anything as the stuffs there are not fanciful and of low quality.

16 Mar
Walked to the nearby Pratunam whole sale market and Pratunam shopping centre after breakfast till mid noon. Next to Siam Paragon for lunch at the food court, ate yummy but salty beef noodles and cooling but sweet Ice Thai Tea and then to do my own shopping.. Poor BE slept at the sofa while waiting for me for 2 hours. Bought the mango glutinuous rice before heading back but felt that it is not as nice as the roadside stall.

BE went back hotel to put down all the stuffs which we bought while i waited at Platinum for our next round of shopping. I simply loved this place as it is air conditioned and cheap and i managed to buy almost 10 dresses, accessories, etc.... Shopped till about 8 and grabbed the shrimp wanton soup again from 7 eleven to fill my stomach while waiting for bro. Had a short nap and rest as our legs were both aching terribly.

In the end, bro didnt manage to join us so we went dinner with his friend. Had limited selection as the place is closing so we had baked fish stuffed with herbs, mixed veges and fried pork.

17 Mar

Last day in Bangkok so we woke up especially early to go MBK to do our last min shopping. While my manicure for $12 within 45 mins, the guys went shopping.... Went back hotel to pack up and then travel down to airport.... another one hour ride as there is traffic jam once again.

Had our expensive meal at the airport before boarding the plane.... Phad Thai and Beef Noodles....

Home Sweet Home.........

At the airport - going to bangkok yupppieeee

Always need to use the airport free internet access to post one entry before leaving for a holiday... Felt so excited and could not sleep well last night haha woke up at 3am with smiles on my face. Brought a big suitcase so that it can contain all my purchases, i hope.....

Will blog more when i am back to post on the must go places to go in bangkok... Good luck to my legs =)

Bangkok - Here I come......

Yuppie finally i can go for another holiday.... Wanted to go for a short trip in March and chose Bintan initially coz i have never been there at all... Did all the research and planning then cousins and colleague tempt me by asking me to write them a list of places to go in Bangkok. Then finally after consulting BE, we decided to go Bangkok, together with my second bro (the di tuo snake there), where i can do a little of my shopping, manicure, eat good food, etc.

Felt so excited that i can take a short break before colleague go on his one month long reservist starting from end March, cannot imagine how i am going to survive those days. Anyway, the first few things that came up my mind for this trip are the cheap and yummy mango glutinuous rice and the grilled chicken along the roadside (i think i can only drool this time round as i was told not to eat road side food). Haha anyway going to plan my itinery later, reading up forum to check out if there is any new places which i should not miss, so that i can fully utilise my time there and yet not tire myself out.

Must go place will be Chatuchak (not sure if this is close liao coz there is plans to close down this place since last year), Suan Lum night market, MBK, Emporium or Siam Paragon, etc.........

Ren Ri - Happy Birthday!

CNY Chu Seven is also known as Ren Ri, symbolising everyone's birthday. Here comes the annual CNY dinner at Suntec City organised by Fo Ya Shi, holding about near to 400 tables. Reaching there around the same time with MP Ma and took the same elevator as him which makes me and BE looks as if we are part of his entourage and be in a little of the limelight. The event started off with singing National Anthem and the Buddhism song, followed by saying prayers by many monks.

All the devotees will hold on to their fa gao which costs $2888 to take a pic with the Reverend, monks and MPs on stage.

Thereafter the show started with having 8 lions and 2 dragons on stage as the first performance before our vegetarian dinner starts. We had vege yu sheng together at the same time with other tables, the emcees shout out the blessings which comes with fire works each time they finish their lucky phrase.

Here comes the star of the year - Mr Mouse holding the banner indicating "feng yi zu shi"...... FIL and his business partner bid at an enormous amount, which makes my jaw drop when the emcees count to three.

Gong Hei Fatt Choy!!!!!!!

Happy New Year to everybody...

Got this funny message early in the morning of chu yi and was thinking who is Mr Teo whom i will be expecting at my house. Haha it is actually Teo 4D, Teo Big Sweep, Teo Toto.... =)

First year giving ang bao felt so excited and confused at the same time as different red packet covers have different denominations so have to mark down correctly so as to avoid giving the wrong one out. Now it is finally my turn to wish people "kuai gao zhang da", "xue ye jing bu"..... As it is my first year, we still manage to get quite a number of red packets in return... Yuppie!

The Not-to-missed annual family portrait taken during chu yi with new members... Everyone has big smiles on their face as we all were saying tomato ("fan chie") in chinese while taking the picture. Why??? my aunt says the picture will turn out nicer when u say these words during photo taking.... Haha try this out on urself and see if it works

Bumble Bee vs Spiderman

Godson is now one year old so we bought him this photo package from Kidspictures @ Forum to mark his first year. This place really takes nice and cute baby pictures.... but too bad i didnt manage to be there during the photo taking as i was late.... Anyway manage to take a few pictures of this cute little boy

Godson in his Bumble Bee outfit with a pair of little wings behind him, he looks super cute in this especially when he call out "Papa.....", "Bao Bao....", "Mum Mum...." with a higher pitch towards the last few words. This makes him the center of attraction while walking down Orchard. He learn super fast - now he can stand and walk.

On his birthday celebration, he changed to his spider man outfit... BE with his phone trying to attract his attention so that he can carry him, godson ignored his attempts and did the action of listening to the phone.

Monthly anniversary day

It is the time of the month for our monthly anni celebration, we have been together for 6yrs 5mths - promised to have a mini celebration each month to commemorate this day...

Went to this korean charcoal BBQ restaurant along East Coast Park, the deco of the place doesnt look v authentic, it looks more like a Chinese restaurant with alot of MIC working there. This is the first time both of us felt that MIC can provide very good service at this place as compared to others which we have encountered before.

As long as we order two main dish, we will be entitled to the numerous side dishes..... Most of them are cold sour veges with different types of marination.

We ordered Wagyu beef and ginseng marinated pork. From the pic, the beef looks more appetising and worthwhile as it is thinly sliced served in a bigger plate. After tasting the real product, the pork is so much nicer due to the marination..

We felt so full after having a few servings of selected side dishes, meat and rice so BE came out with his gibberish... He asked me not to eat to much else baby will come out to have small smal mini eyes like rain, then he acted and termed himself heavy rain coz of his bigger size....

New Year Celebration with the Irritants

Chalet... "Are you sure or not? So old still go chalet?"

This is the comment which i get when i told them that i am going chalet to celebrate New Year with the irritants. Celebrating New Year together there has become more or less our annual event. It is during this time where all of us can gather together to play and countdown for the new year.

Didnt know Ah Bye can be so creative, he drew us in his bloggy. Let me introduce... Most of us resembles his drawing, i am so glad that i am no longer the green ugly creature which he drew me as initially.

On 30th Dec, we had potluck and all of us are supposed to bring or cook something for dinner. Here's what we had, luckily no one got diarrhoea the next day. =)

On31st Dec, we had BBQ... trying hard to come out with new bbq combi - bacon wrapped with mushrooms, wrapped wth asparagus, wrapped with chicken, fried mushrooms, shitake mushrooms with butter, etc.... Sounds fattening and overdose of mushrooms. We countdown together with others, popped champagne, do our yum seng, then back to mahjong and Xbox.

Everyone slept at 5am and woke up late on the first day of 2008 except Wild Boar and his gf... Guess where they go? They went market to buy ingredients to cook breakfast for us... Wow tts super sweet of him, i shall give him one plus!


Got everyone ready after breakfast to stroll down to Downtown east from aloha loyang, got craving for Ben & Jerry's...... Here's Ah Gu with Gu.
Went back chalet for the last round of mahjong before heading home...... Have to work the next day unlike Japanese. =(